Absorbent article wrapper comprising a side flap fastener cover

ABSTRACT

An individually packaged absorbent article having a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps with fasteners, such as adhesive fasteners thereon, is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a pair of first flaps and a pair of second flaps joined to the main body portion apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the first and second flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastener respectively. The first and second flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners. A wrapper for the absorbed article comprises a main wrapper sheet, a first flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover. The main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing the main body portion and an outer surface. The main wrapper sheet is positioned adjacent to the garment surface of the main body portion. The main wrapper sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent article comprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by the two axes. The second flap fastener cover is joined to the first flap fastener cover at least at a point in a region between the second flap fasteners and the first transverse axis. The end portion of the first flap fastener cover is joined to the end portion of the main wrapper sheet of the second region.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an absorbent article individually packaged bya wrapper comprising a main wrapper sheet for the absorbent article anda flap fastener cover for flap fasteners of flaps. More particularly,this invention relates to an absorbent article comprising a pair offirst flaps and a pair of second flaps apart from the first flaps in thelongitudinal direction of the absorbent article, wherein each flapcomprises flap fasteners, and the flap fasteners are covered by the flapfastener cover.

BACKGROUND

An absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin comprising a pair offlaps which extend laterally outward from an absorbent means is wellknown. One type of such an absorbent article comprises a pair of flapswhich extend laterally outward from a central region of bothlongitudinal side edges of an absorbent means. The flaps are intended tobe folded around the edges of a wearer's undergarment in the crotchregion. Thus, in use the flaps are disposed between the edges of thewearer's undergarment in the crotch region and the wearers thighs.Commonly, the flaps are provided with flap fasteners such as adhesivefor affixing the flaps to the underside, of the wearer's undergarment.The flaps serve at least two purposes. First, the flaps prevent exudateswhich otherwise would soil the edges of the wearers undergarment fromdoing such. Second, the flaps help stabilize the napkin from shiftingout of the position chosen by the wearer. This is especially so when theflaps are affixed to the underside of the undergarment.

The flaps of such sanitary napkins may be folded onto the topsheet sideor the backsheet side to conserve space during packaging, i.e., theperiod between manufacture of the sanitary napkin and its intended firstuse by the wearer. At the time of the first use by the wearer, the flapsare usually unfolded to facilitate installation of the sanitary napkininto the wearer's undergarment. The flap fasteners of the folded flapsare usually covered by a flap fastener cover so as not to inadvertentlyadhere to each other or another part of the product before the sanitarynapkin is used. When the flaps are folded onto the topsheet side, theflap fasteners of the flaps face outside and are covered by the flapfastener cover thereby bridging the flaps to each other over thetopsheet. Japanese Laid-open Patent publication H5-293139 published onNov. 9, 1993, Japanese Laid-open Patent publication H6-78953 publishedon Mar. 22, 1994 and Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model publicationH6-26835 published on Apr. 12, 1994 disclose sanitary napkins havingflaps which are folded onto the topsheet and flap fasteners which arecovered by a flap fastener cover. The sanitary napkins disclosed thereinfurther comprise a main fastener for securing the sanitary napkin to theinside of the wearer's undergarment. The main fastener is also coveredby a main fastener cover. Therefore, when the sanitary napkin is used,the wearer must remove both the flap fastener cover and the mainfastener cover. The wearer must then properly dispose of the variousfastener covers to prevent them from becoming litter.

Attempts to facilitate removal of a flap fastener cover and a mainfastener cover from the sanitary napkin have been made. JapaneseLaid-open Utility-Model publication H5-9526 published on Feb. 9, 1993and Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model publication H5-9529 published onFeb. 9, 1993 disclose sanitary napkins comprising a sanitary napkin mainbody with a main body fastener, flaps with flap fasteners and a fastenercover for covering the flap fasteners and the main fastener. Thefastener cover comprises flap fastener cover portions and a mainfastener; cover portion which are connected to each other. Therefore, asthe main fastener cover portions are removed from the sanitary napkinmain body, the flap:fastener cover portion is also removed from theflaps. This publication, however, does not disclose arrangements forabsorbent articles having a wrapper for individually packaging theabsorbent article.

Other attempts to facilitate removal of a flap fastener cover and/or amain fastener cover from a sanitary napkin main body have been made inconnection with removal of a wrapper for individually packaging thesanitary napkin. Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model publication H6-26833published on Apr. 12, 1994 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising asanitary napkin main body with a main fastener, flaps with flapfasteners, a wrapper for packaging the sanitary napkin main body, a flapfastener cover and a main fastener cover. The main fastener cover isconnected to a part of the wrapper so that the main fastener cover isremoved from the main body as the sanitary napkin main body is taken outfrom the wrapper. However, the flap fastener cover also must be removedfrom the flaps.

Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model H7-39820 published on Jul. 18, 1995discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin main bodyhaving a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core. The sanitarynapkin also comprises a pair of flaps which are folded around the edgesof a wearer's undergarment in the crotch region when the sanitary napkinis used. Adhesive layers provided with the main body and the flaps arecovered by an adhesive layer cover which may comprise a wrapper forindividually packaging the sanitary napkin. The flaps are folded to theinside of the main body. The adhesive layer cover covering the adhesivelayers of the main body extends beyond the longitudinal sides andtransverse edges of the main body. The adhesive layer cover extendsbeyond one transverse end and the extending portion of the adhesivelayer cover is folded toward the inside to cover the adhesive layers ofthe flaps. Japanese Laid-open Utility-Model H6-75446 published on Jul.18, 1995 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a sanitary napkin mainbody and a pair of flaps extending laterally outward from the both sidesin the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. The flaps arefolded onto a body facing side of the sanitary napkin before thesanitary napkin is used, and are folded around the edges of a wearer'sundergarment in the crotch region when the sanitary napkin is used. Agarment facing side of the sanitary napkin provided with an adhesivelayer is wrapped by a wrapper releasably treated. The wrapped sanitarynapkin is folded together with the wrapper about a folding line. Thispublication further discloses a packaging structure for the sanitarynapkin where a part of the wrapper covers the adhesive layers of theflaps. Namely, the transverse edge of the wrapper extends beyond the endedge of the sanitary napkin and is folded towards the adhesive layers ofthe flaps which are folded onto the topsheet. European Patentpublication EP 0 750 896 A2 published on Jan. 2, 1997 discloses asanitary napkin comprising a napkin body and a pair of flaps extendingfrom transversely opposite side edges of the napkin body. The napkinbody is folded longitudinally thereof in a three layer overlappingrelationship and the flaps are also folded onto a top surface of thenapkin body. Release sheets are releasably bonded onto adhesive zonesprovided on back surfaces of the napkin body and the flaps,respectively. A wrapping sheet is also folded together with the napkinbody so as to wrap the napkin body as well as the flaps, wherein therespective release sheets are fixedly bonded to an inner surface of thewrapping sheet so that the wrapping sheet and the release sheet can bepeeled off in the form of an integrated strip-like sheet from the napkinwhen picking out the napkin from the wrapping sheet. These publications,however, do not disclose arrangements for absorbent articles havinganother pair of flaps apart from the flaps in the longitudinal directionof the absorbent article.

Another type of an absorbent article comprises a pair of flaps whichextend laterally outward from a back region of both longitudinal sideedges of an absorbent means. The flaps of the second type of anabsorbent article are intended to stay widespread in a back region ofthe inside of a wearer's undergarment. In use, the flaps are disposedbetween the wearer's hips and the wearer's undergarment. The flaps ofthe second type of an absorbent article also prevent exudates whichotherwise would soil the back region of the wearers undergarment. Theflaps may be provided with flap fasteners such as adhesive for affixingthe flaps to the inside of the wearer's undergarment to stabilize thenapkin shifting in the back region of the wearer's undergarment. Theflap fasteners may be covered by a flap fastener cover not toinadvertently adhere to each other or another part of the product beforethe sanitary napkin is used. Japanese Laid-open Patent publicationH8-224269 published on Sep. 3, 1996 discloses an individually packagedsanitary napkin. The sanitary napkin comprises a topsheet, a backsheet,an absorbent core, a pair of back flap portions having adhesive layerson both back sides in the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin,and a main adhesive layer covered by a main release paper. The back flapportions are folded onto the topsheet side so that the adhesive layersof the back flap portions face upwardly and a flap release paper isattached on the adhesive layers. A wrapper is joined to thenon-releasably treated surface of the main release paper by using afirst adhesive. The sanitary napkin is folded into three regionstogether with the wrapper so that the flap release paper faces thebacksheet side of the front portion of the sanitary napkin. The wrappercovering the front portion of the sanitary napkin is joined to thenonreleasably treated surface of the flap release paper by using asecond adhesive. This publication, however, does not disclosearrangements for absorbent articles having another pair of flaps apartfrom the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article.

While prior art absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins haveaddressed some of the problems of achieving an individually packagedabsorbent article, they have not addressed the problems to the extent ofor in the manner of the present invention. Therefore, a primaryobjective of the present invention is to provide an improvedindividually packaged absorbent article.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an individually packaged absorbentarticle comprising: (a) an absorbent article extending in a longitudinaldirection and comprising a main body portion having a pair oflongitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a:body surface, wherein the garment surface of the main body portion maybe placed in a wearer's undergarment, and the absorbent articlecomprises a pair of first flaps joined to the main body portion andextending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of themain body portion and a pair of second flaps joined to the main bodyportion apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction andextending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of themain body portion, wherein the garment surface of each of the first andsecond flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastenerrespectively, and the first and second flaps are folded over the bodysurface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners, (b) awrapper for the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a main wrappersheet, a flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover, wherein(c) the main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal sideportions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing the main bodyportion and an outer surface, the main wrapper sheet is positionedadjacent to the garment surface of the main body portion, the mainwrapper sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent articlecomprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by the two axes,wherein the three regions comprise a first region into which a majorityof the first flaps extends, a second region into which a majority of thesecond flaps extends and a third region, and the two transverse axescomprise the first axis extending laterally between the first region andthe second region and the second axis extending laterally between thefirst region and the third region, (d) the first flap fastener covercomprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions,a releasable surface facing the first flap fasteners, an opposingsurface, wherein a majority of the first flap fastener cover extends inthe first region at least when the absorbent article is folded at thefirst transverse axis, and the first flap fastener cover is releasablyaffixed to the first flap fasteners, (e) the second flap fastener covercomprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions,a releasable surface facing the second flap fasteners, an opposingsurface, wherein a majority of the second flap fastener cover extends inthe second region at least when the absorbent article is folded at thesecond transverse axis, and the second flap fastener cover is releasablyaffixed to the second flap fasteners, (f) the second: flap fastenercover is joined to the first flap fastener cover at least at a point ina region between the second flap fasteners and the first transverseaxis, and (g) the end portion of the first flap fastener cover is joinedto the end portion of the main wrapper sheet of the second region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the wrapper ofthe present invention in an opened position with a preferred sanitarynapkin disposed thereon and the flaps of the sanitary napkinoutstretched;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wrapper of the embodiment shown in FIG.1 with the flaps of the sanitary napkin folded over the topsheet;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line Ill—Ill;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wrapper of the embodiment shown in FIG.1 before the flap fastener cover and the main wrapper sheet are joined;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the flapsof the sanitary napkin in an alternative topsheet protecting position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line VI—VI;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a first alternative embodiment ofjoint of the flap fastener covers;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a second alternative embodiment ofjoint of the flap fastener covers;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the wrapper of the embodiment shownin FIG. 1 with the sanitary napkin therein in a folded configuration;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one preferred individually packagedabsorbent article;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment wrapper with asanitary napkin placed thereon in substantially the same configurationas FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a first cross-sectional view of the present inventionexplaining an action of removing a wrapper from: a sanitary napkin;

FIG. 14 is a second cross-sectional of the present invention explainingan action of removing a wrapper from a sanitary napkin; and

FIG. 15 is a third cross-sectional of the present invention explainingan action of removing a wrapper from a sanitary napkin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in apreferred but non-limiting embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3,the invention comprises a wrapper 78 for a disposable absorbent article,particularly a sanitary napkin 20.

The sanitary napkin 20 is used to collect vaginal discharges, such asmenses, and prevent soiling of the wearer's clothing by such discharges.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sanitary napkin 20 basically comprises amain body portion 22 and first flaps 24 and second flaps 25. The mainbody portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 may have a fastener, such as apressure sensitive adhesive fastener 74 thereon for fastening the mainbody portion 22 in the wearer's undergarment. The first flaps 24preferably each have first fasteners thereon, such as a pressuresensitive adhesive fastener 76, for releasably affixing the first flaps24 of the sanitary napkin 20 in a configuration folded around the edgesof the crotch of the wearer's undergarment. The second flaps preferablyeach have second fasteners thereon, such as a pressure sensitiveadhesive fastener 77, for releasably affixing the second flaps 25 of thesanitary napkin 20 in a configuration staying widespread in a backregion of the inside of a wearer's undergarment. The wrapper 78 of thepresent invention serves to cover and protect the first flap fasteners76, the second flap fasteners 77, and the main body fastener 74 (ifthere is one), and is folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to provide anindividual package for the sanitary napkin 20. Before looking at thecharacteristics of the wrapper 78 in greater detail, the properties ofthe sanitary napkin 20 will be briefly discussed.

The sanitary napkin 20 (and the main body portion 22 thereof) has twosurfaces, a liquid pervious body-contacting surface or “body surface”20A that is intended to be worn adjacent to the body of the wearer, anda liquid impervious garment surface 20B. The sanitary napkin 20 is shownin FIG. 1 as viewed from its body surface 20A. The sanitary napkin 20has two centerlines, a principal longitudinal centerline L and aprincipal transverse centerline (not shown in FIG. 1). The term“longitudinal,” as used herein, refers to a line, axis or direction inthe plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generally aligned with (e.g.approximately parallel to) a vertical plane which bisects a standingwearer into left and right body halves when the sanitary napkin 20 isworn. The terms “transverse,” “lateral” or “width” used herein, areinterchangeable, and refer to a line, axis or direction which lieswithin the plane of the sanitary napkin 20 that is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 1 shows that the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20comprises the portion of the sanitary napkin without the first flaps 24and the second flaps 25. The main body portion 22 has two spaced apartlongitudinal edges 26, two spaced apart transverse or end edges (or“ends”) 28, which together form the periphery 30 of the main bodyportion 22. The main body portion 22 also has three sections comprisinga central section (first section) 36, one end section (second section)34 and the other end section (third section) 32. The first section 36 isdisposed between the second section 34 and the third section 32. Thesecond section 34 and the third section 32 extend outwardly in thelongitudinal direction from the edges of the central section 36 of themain body portion 22. When the sanitary napkin 20 is individuallypackaged, the main body portion 22 and the wrapper 78 are folded intothree regions comprising a first region 39, a second region 41, and athird region 43 divided by two fold axes F1 and F2 (refer to FIG. 2).The first section 36, the second section 34 and the third section 32 ofthe main body portion 22 generally extend in the first region 39, thesecond region 41 and the third region 43, respectively.

The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 can be of anythickness, including relatively thick, intermediate thickness,relatively thin, or even very thin (or “ultra thin”). An “ultra-thin”sanitary napkin 20 as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,950,264 and5,009,653 issued to Osborn preferably has a caliper of less than about 3millimeters. The embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20 shown in thedrawings is intended to be an example of a sanitary napkin of anintermediate thickness. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin20 may also be relatively flexible, so that it is comfortable for thewearer. It should be understood that the sanitary napkin shown is merelyone embodiment, and that the wrapper of the present invention is notlimited to use with absorbent articles of the type or having thespecific configurations shown in the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows the individual components of the main body portion 22 ofthe sanitary napkin 20. The main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin20 preferably comprises at least three primary components. These includea liquid pervious topsheet 38, a liquid impervious backsheet 40, and anabsorbent core 42 positioned between the topsheet 38 and the backsheet40. The topsheet, the backsheet, and the absorbent core may be assembledin a variety of configurations known in the art (including layered or“sandwich” configurations and wrapped or “tube” configurations).

Suitable materials for the components of the main body portion 22, andsome of the various configurations in which such components can beassembled are described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,924, entitled“Bordered Disposable Absorbent Article” issued to Ahr. on Mar. 30, 1982;U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,130, entitled “Compound Sanitary Napkin” issued toDesMarais on Jan. 10, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,264, entitled “Thin,Flexible Sanitary Napkin” issued to Osborn on Aug. 21, 1990: U.S. Pat.No. 5,308,346, entitled “Elasticized Sanitary Napkin” issued to Sneller,et al. on May 3, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,094, entitled “AbsorbentArticle Having Flaps and Zones of Differential Extensibility” issued toLavash, et al. on Feb. 14, 1995. The main body portion 22 of thesanitary napkin 20 may also be comprised. of one or more extensiblecomponents such as those sanitary napkins, and the like described inU.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 07/915,133 and 07/915,284, both filedJul. 23, 1992, in the name of Osborn, et al. (PCT Publication Nos. WO93/01785 and 93/01786, both published Feb. 4, 1993).

FIGS. 1 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the sanitary napkin 20assembled in a sandwich construction in which the topsheet 38 and thebacksheet 40 have length and width dimensions generally larger thanthose of the absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 and the backsheet 40extend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42 to form portions of theperiphery 30. The topsheet 38 is preferably joined to the body-facingside of the absorbent core 42 and the backsheet 40 is preferably joinedto the garment-facing side of the absorbent core 42. The topsheet 38 andbacksheet 40 can be joined to the absorbent core 42 in any suitablemanner known in the art for this purpose, such as by an open pattern ofadhesives. The portions of the topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 that extendbeyond the edges of the absorbent core 42 are preferably also joined toeach other. These portions of the topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 can alsobe joined in any suitable manner known in the art. Preferably, in theembodiment shown, these portions of the topsheet 38 and backsheet 40 arejoined using adhesives over substantially the entire portions thatextend beyond the edges of the absorbent core 42, and a crimp sealaround the periphery 30 of the main body portion 22 where the topsheet38 and backsheet 40 are densified by the application of pressure or heatand pressure.

The sanitary napkin 20 shown in FIGS. 1-3, as discussed above, alsocomprises a pair of first flaps 24 and a pair of second flaps 25 thatare joined to the main body portion 22. The first flaps 24 extendlaterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main bodyportion 22 from their proximal edges 44 to their distal edges (or “freeends”) 46. The first flaps 24 extend laterally outward from at least apart of the first section 36 of the main body portion 22 and majority ofthe first flaps 24 extends in the first region 39 divided by the foldaxes F1 and F2. The second flaps 25 extend laterally outward beyond thelongitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 from theirproximal edges 45 to their distal edges (or “free ends”) 47. The secondflaps 25 are positioned adjacent to one end edge 28 of the main bodyportion 22 apart from the first flaps 24 in the longitudinal directionof the main body portion 22. The second flaps 25 extend laterally fromat least a part of the second section 34 of the main body portion 22 andmajority of the second flaps 25 extend in the second region 41 dividedby the fold axis F1.

The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 can be joined to the mainbody portion 22 in any suitable manner. The term “joined”, as usedherein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directlysecured to another element by affixing the element directly to the otherelement; configurations in which the element is indirectly secured tothe other element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s)which in turn are affixed to the other element; and configurations inwhich one element is integral with another element, i.e., one element isessentially part of the other element. Preferably, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1-3, the first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 areintegral with the main body portion 22 (that is, the flaps 24 and 25comprise integral extensions of the backsheet 40. Alternatively, theflaps 24 and 25 may comprise integral extensions of the topsheet 38 andthe backsheet 40.).

In other alternative embodiments, the flaps 24 and 25 can comprise oneor more separate components that are joined to the garment-facing sideof the main body portion 22. Preferably, in such a case, the flaps 24and 25 each comprise a separate component that is joined to thegarment-facing side of the main body portion 22. In such alternativeembodiments, the flaps 24 and 25 are preferably otherwise unattached tothe garment-facing side of the main body portion 22 of the sanitarynapkin 20 between the points where they are attached to the main bodyportion 22 and the longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion22. The flaps 24 and 25 in these latter embodiments can be joined to thegarment-facing side of the main body portion 22 by any suitableattachment mechanism. Suitable attachment mechanisms include, but arenot limited to adhesives, and the like. The first flaps 24 and thesecond flaps 25 may be joined to the main body portion 22 by differentattachment method from each other.

The places or regions on the sanitary napkin 20 where the flaps 24 and25 are joined to (or extend from) the main body portion 22, are referredto herein as “junctures”. These regions will typically belongitudinally-oriented (or “longitudinal”) junctures, such as lines ofjuncture 48. These regions can be any of various curved or straightlines, but they are not limited to lines. Thus, the junctures cancomprise flanges, strips, intermittent lines, and the like.

The first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 may be of any configurationdesired, with one preferred configuration being shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1shows that the first flaps 24 are provided with zones of extensibility(or “zones of differential extensibility”) 56 in the,front edge and theback edge of each flap 24. The zones of extensibility 56 relievestresses which are created in the first flaps 24 by the folding of thefirst flaps 24 around the crotch of the wearer's undergarment. The zonesof extensibility 56 thereby help eliminate bunching of the first flaps24 caused by said stresses. Preferably, in the embodiment shown in FIG.1, the zones of extensibility 56 comprise pre-corrugated or “ringrolled” regions of the first flaps 24 in which the corrugations 58define ridges and valleys that are oriented at an angle to the principallongitudinal centerline L. Suitable structures for providing the flaps24 with zones of extensibility 56 are described in greater detail inU.S. Pat. No. 5,389,094 issued to Lavash, et al. and in commonlyassigned copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/380,769, entitled“Absorbent Article Having Flaps With Gathered Portions” filed in thename of Sue A. Mills, et al. on Jan. 30, 1995.

The sanitary napkin 20 preferably also has fasteners for securing thesanitary napkin 20 in place in a wearer's undergarment. FIGS. 1 and 2show a preferred arrangement of fasteners which comprises a main bodyportion (or central pad) fastener, such as central pad adhesive 74, andflap fasteners, such as first flap adhesives 76 and second flapadhesives 77. The fasteners used with the sanitary napkin 20 are notlimited to adhesive fasteners. Any suitable type of fastener known inthe art can be used for this purpose. For example, the sanitary napkin20 could be secured in place in a wearer's undergarment by mechanicalfasteners, such as VELCRO®, or by a combination of adhesive andmechanical fasteners. For simplicity, however, the fasteners will bedescribed in terms of adhesive fasteners and these fasteners arepreferably pressure sensitive adhesive fasteners. Suitable pressuresensitive adhesive fasteners are described in greater detail in U.S.Pat. No. 4,917,697.

The central pad adhesive 74, the first flap adhesives 76 and the secondflap adhesives 77 can be provided in any suitable configuration. In thepreferred embodiment shown, the central pad adhesive 74 is provided inthe form of a longitudinally oriented strip of adhesive that is centeredabout the principal longitudinal centerline L. The first flap adhesives76 and the second flap adhesives 77 are provided in the form of agenerally rectangular patch of adhesive on each first flap 24 and eachsecond flap 25 respectively. Alternatively, the first flap adhesives 76and the second flap adhesives 77 may be any shape, such as circle, oval,triangle. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the second flapadhesives 77 have a first end edge 77A and a second end edge 77B andlongitudinal side edges. If the shape of the second flap adhesives 77are circle, then the first and second end edges 77A and 77B are a pointwhich locates at the ends in the longitudinal direction. The central padadhesive 74 provides an adhesive attachment means for securing the mainbody portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20 in the crotch portion of apanty. The first flap adhesives 76 are used to assist in maintaining thefirst flaps 24 in position after they are wrapped around the edges ofthe crotch portion of the panty. The second flap adhesives 77 are usedto assist in maintaining the second flaps 25 in position after they arerendered widespread in a back region of the inside of the panty. Theflaps can be maintained in position by attaching the flaps 24 to theundergarment, or to the opposing flap.

FIGS. 1-4 and 6-7 show one preferred version of the wrapper 78 of thepresent invention. The wrapper, generally designated by reference number78 comprises several elements. These elements can comprise integralportions of a single member or article, or preferably they can compriseseparate components joined to a member or article. The elementscomprising the wrapper 78 include: a main wrapper sheet 80; an optionalrelease component, such as a release paper (or release coating) 82disposed on one side of the main wrapper sheet 80; flap fastener covers,such as a first flap adhesive cover 87 and a second flap adhesive cover89. In the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, these elementscomprise separate components and are joined to each other in anassembled configuration.

The main wrapper sheet 80 (or “wrapper sheet”) is the portion of thewrapper 78 which will be folded around the sanitary napkin 20 to providean individual package for the sanitary napkin 20. The main wrapper sheet80 preferably covers and is releasably attached to the central padadhesive 74. The main wrapper sheet 80 preferably has dimensions thatare slightly larger than those of the main body portion 22 of thesanitary napkin 20. Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the mainwrapper sheet 80 has longitudinal side portions 80D which extend beyondthe longitudinal side edges 26 of the main body portion 22 of thesanitary napkin 20. The main wrapper sheet 80 preferably also has afirst end portion BOA and a second end portion 80B which extend beyondthe end edges 28 of the main body portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20.It is recognized, however, that satisfactory protection of the sanitarynapkin 20 may be afforded by a wrapper which is not larger than the mainbody portion 22 of the sanitary napkin 20.

The main wrapper sheet 80 can be made from any suitable material. Themain wrapper sheet 80 is preferably manufactured from a thin flexiblematerial which is liquid impermeable so that the wrapper 78 will besuitable for wrapping and disposing of a used sanitary napkin 20. Forexample, polyethylene films have been found to work well.

The main wrapper sheet 80 can be provided with the optional releasecomponent, such as release paper (or release coating) 82 so that themain wrapper sheet 80 will release from the central pad adhesive 74 whenthe wearer removes the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78. If aseparate release paper is used, it can comprise any suitable materialknown in the art for this purpose, such as coated papers. Suitablerelease papers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,697. Such a releasepaper 82 can be laminated to the inside surface of the main wrappersheet 80 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. If a release coating is used, thecoating can be applied directly to the inside surface of the mainwrapper sheet 80. Such a coating can comprise any material known in theart for this purpose, with silicone coatings being preferred. If acoating is used, the coating 82 may be provided by coating only thatzone of the main wrapper sheet 80 which will substantially contact thecentral pad adhesive 74. Alternatively, the entire inside surface of themain wrapper sheet 80 may be coated. Coating the entire inside of awrapper is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,610 entitled “FlexibleContainer with Nonstick Interior” which issued to Quick et al. on Jan.26, 1993.

The first flap adhesive cover (or “flap release strip”) 87 and thesecond flap adhesive cover 89 cover and protect the first flap adhesives76 and the second flap adhesives 77 respectively, and maintain the firstflaps 24 and the second flaps 25 in position folded over the topsheet 38for packaging. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the firstflap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 generallyextend in the second region 41 in a configuration where the first flapadhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 are assembledtogether with the main wrapper sheet 80. The first flap adhesive cover87 is preferably joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 and the second flapadhesive cover 89 is preferably joined to the first flap adhesive cover87.

The first flap adhesive cover 87 preferably extends in the first region39 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 preferably extends in thesecond region 41 in a configuration before the first flap adhesive cover87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 are assembled together with themain wrapper sheet 80 as shown in FIG. 4. The first flap adhesive cover87 preferably comprises a single separate sheet having a first endportion 87C, a second end portion 87D and a pair of longitudinal sideportions 87E. The first flap adhesive cover 87 has sufficient length andwidth to cover and protect the first flap adhesives 76, however, it ispreferably shorter than the length of the first region 39. The secondflap adhesive cover 89 preferably comprises a single separate sheethaving a first end portion 89C, a second end portion 89D and a pair oflongitudinal side portions 89E. The second flap adhesive cover 89 hassufficient length and width to cover and protect the first flapadhesives 76, however, it is preferably shorter than the length of thesecond region 41. Alternatively, the first flap adhesive cover 87 mayextend beyond the first axis F1 and/or the second axis F2. The secondflap adhesive cover 89 may extend beyond the first axis F1.

The first flap adhesive cover 87 also has two faces, one of which is anon-stick face (or releasable face) 87A,.which is capable of releasableattachment with the flap fasteners, and an opposite face or side 87B.Similarly, the second flap adhesive cover 89 also has two faces, one ofwhich is a non-stick face (or releasable face) 89A, which is capable ofreleasable attachment with the flap fasteners, and an opposite face orside 89B. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the non-stick face 87A (onlythe opposite face 87 B is shown in FIG. 4) of the first flap adhesivecover 87 and the non-stick face 89A (only the opposite face 89 B isshown in FIG. 4) of the second flap adhesive cover 89 face the firstflap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77 respectively so thatthey will be able to releasably adhere to the first flap adhesive 76 andthe second flap adhesives 77. When the flap fasteners 76 and 77 compriseadhesive fasteners, the non-stick faces 87A and 89A: can be provided byattaching a separate release paper or element to the first and secondflap adhesive covers 87 and 89 which are treated with a non-stickmaterial, or by treating all or a portion of the first and second flapadhesive covers 87 and 89 with a non-stick coating, such as by siliconecoating a portion of the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and89. Alternatively, if the first and second flap fasteners 76 and 77comprise mechanical fasteners, such as VELCRO® fasteners, the non-stickface may be provided by a nonwoven material capable of releasablyengaging the mechanical fastening material. The opposite faces 87B and89B faces away from the first and second flap adhesives 76 and 77. Theopposite faces 87B and 89B of the flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 neednot have, and preferably does not have a release coating thereon.

The first flap adhesive cover 87, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7, isjoined to the main wrapper sheet 80 and the second flap adhesive cover89 is joined to the first flap adhesive cover 87 in an assembledconfiguration. More concretely, the first flap adhesive cover 87generally extends in the second region 41 in an assembled configurationand the non-stick face 87A of the first flap adhesive cover 87 facesupwardly as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The opposing face 87B faces thesecond flap adhesive cover 89 and the main wrapper sheet 80. The firstend portion 87C of the first flap adhesive cover 87 extends beyond thesecond end portion 89D of the second flap adhesive cover 89 and the endedge 28 of the main body portion 22. The second end portion 80B of themain wrapper sheet 80 extends beyond the end edge 28 of the main bodyportion 22. Thereby, the first end portion 87C faces the main wrappersheet 80 and is joined to the inner surface of the second end portion80B of the main wrapper sheet 80 by applying an adhesive layer 83. Theopposite face 87B of the first flap adhesive cover 87 is joined to theopposite face 89B of the second flap adhesive cover 89 near the firstend portion 89C and the second end portion 87D by applying an adhesivelayer 90. Thus, the second flap adhesive cover 89 is joined to the mainwrapper sheet 80,through the first flap adhesive cover 87. In apreferred embodiment, the first flap adhesive cover 87 and the secondflap adhesive cover 89 are joined to each other at least at a point in aregion R of the longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin 20 betweenthe second flap adhesive 77 (or the first end edge 77A) and the firsttransverse axis F1 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. More preferably, the firstend portion 89C of the second flap adhesive cover 89 and the second endportion 87D of the first flap adhesive cover 87 do not extend beyond thefirst transverse axis F1. The first flap adhesive cover 87 and thesecond flap adhesive cover 89 are joined to each other at a point in aregion between the second flap adhesive 77 and either of the first endportion 89C or the second end portion 87D. In a preferred embodimentshown in FIGS. 2 and 6, since the second end portion 87D is moreadjacent to the second flap adhesive 77 than the first end portion 89C,the flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are joined in a region R1 between thesecond flap adhesive 77 and the second end portion 87D. If the first endportion 89C is more adjacent to the second flap adhesive 77, then thecovers 87 and 89 are joined in a region between the second flap adhesive77 and the first end portion 89C. As the position of the adhesive layer90 becomes adjacent to the second flap adhesive 77, the length of thefirst flap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 maybe shorter at the second end portion 87D and the first end portion 89Crespectively. This saves material for the first and second flap adhesivecover 87 and 89. The adhesive layer 90 may extend toward the second endportion 89D of the second flap adhesive cover 89 so that a part of theadhesive layer 90 superposes at least a part of the second flap adhesive77 as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 90 may furtherextend toward the second end portion 89D so that a part of the adhesivelayer 90 superposes a whole of the second flap adhesive 77 as shown inFIG. 9. In both cases, the flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are joined atleast a point in the region R.

The flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 can be of any suitable size andshape, though the figures depict a flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 whichare only of sufficient width and length to cover and protect the firstflap adhesives 76 and the second flap adhesives 77.

The wrapper 78 preferably also comprises an optional package fastener 86for retaining the package formed by folding the wrapper and sanitarynapkin in its folded configuration. The package fastener 86 ispreferably both releasably attachable to the package and resealable. Thepackage fastener 86 may be comprised of any releasably attachable andresealable fastener known in the art, such as spots or patches ofadhesive, tapes, and mechanical fasteners. A tape tab with a pressuresensitive adhesive located thereon has been found to work well. Thepackage fastener 86 can be disposed at any suitable location on thewrapper 78. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the packagefastener 86 is preferably positioned at the first end portion 80A of themain wrapper sheet 80.

For the initial packaging of the sanitary napkin 20 in the wrapper 78,the garment-facing side 20B of the main body portion 22 is placed on topof the main wrapper sheet 80. The sanitary napkin 20 is positioned sothat the central pad fastener 74 lies over the release paper or releasecoating 82 on the main wrapper sheet 80. The first flaps 24 and thesecond flaps 25 are then preferably folded over the topsheet 38 so thatthe first flaps 24 and the second flaps 25 are in the configurationshown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Folding the flaps 24 and 25 in the configurationshown in FIGS. 2 and 3 exposes the patches of adhesive 76 and 77disposed on the garment-facing side of flaps 24 and 25 and causes theflaps 24 and 25 to cover at least a portion of the topsheet 38. Foldingthe flaps 24 and 25 over the topsheet 38 can, thus, be considered toprovide a degree of protection to prevent the topsheet 38 from becomingsoiled prior to use. In alternative embodiments, where one or both ofthe first flaps 24 has a greater span (that is, its dimension measuredin the transverse direction), the first flaps 24 can be folded over thetopsheet 38 so that one of the first flaps 24 at least partiallyoverlays the other flap 24 as shown in FIG. 5. The first flap 24Boverlays, attaches to, and protects the flap attachment means 76 of thefirst flap 24A. The flap adhesive cover 84 will then overlay, attach toand protect the flap fastener 76 of the first flap 24B. The second flaps25 may have the same structure as the first flaps 24 that have a greaterspan.

After folding the flaps 24 and 25 over the topsheet 38, the sanitarynapkin 20 and main wrapper sheet 80 will then preferably be folded intothree regions that are defined by the fold axes F1 and F2 shown in FIG.2. The fold axes F1 and F2 will divide both the sanitary napkin 20 andthe main wrapper sheet 80 into three regions comprising the first region39, the second region 41 and the third region 43. As shown in FIG. 2,the central region (the first region) 39 lies between preferred foldaxes F1 and F2. The second and third regions 41 and 43 lielongitudinally outboard of the fold axes F1 and F2. As described above,the main body portion 22 is also separated at the fold axes F1 and F2into three sections comprising the first section 36, the second section34, and the third section 32. Each section 36, 34 and 32 generallyextends in each region 39, 41 and 43 respectively.

FIG. 10 depicts the package for the sanitary napkin formed by foldingthe wrapper 78 and sanitary napkin 20 in one preferred configuration forshipment, sale, and convenient carrying by the wearer. When the secondflaps 25 are folded over the topsheet 38 as stated hereinabove, thenon-stick face 89A of the second flap adhesive cover 89 is placed overthe second flap adhesives 77 and is releasably attached to each adhesivepatch 77 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the second flap adhesive cover89 provides a connection between each flap 25 that spans the flaps 25,thereby keeping the second flaps 25 in the desired position until theflap adhesive cover 89 is removed. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the secondregion 41 (i.e., the second end portion 80B of the main wrapper 80,along with the second section 34 of the main body portion 22, the secondflaps 25, the second flap adhesives 77 and the second flap adhesivecover 89 with the first flap adhesive cover 87) is folded about the foldaxis F1 onto the first region 39 (i.e., the central portion 80C of themain wrapper 80, the first section 36 of the main body portion 22, thefirst flaps 24 and the first flap adhesives 76). When the sanitarynapkin 20 and wrapper 78 are folded in this manner, the non-stick face87A of the first flap adhesive cover 87 is placed over the first flapadhesives 76 and is releasably attached to each adhesive patch 76. Inaddition, the first flap adhesive cover 87 provides a connection betweeneach flap 24 that spans the flaps 24, thereby keeping the first flaps 24in the desired position until the first flap adhesive cover 87 isremoved. The third region 43 (i.e., the first end portion 80A of themain wrapper 80, along with the third section 32 of the main bodyportion 22) is then folded about the fold axis F2 onto the second region41 which is already folded onto the first region 39. By pressing thetape tab 86 onto the exterior of wrapper 78 in the position depicted inFIG. 10, the sanitary napkin 20, its flaps; 24 and 25 and wrapper 78remain in the configuration shown.

Preferably, to complete the individual packaging of the sanitary napkin20 in the wrapper 78 of the present invention, each longitudinal sideedge 80D of the main wrapper sheet 80 is then frangibly sealed after thesanitary napkin 20 and the wrapper 78 are in the folded configurationshown in FIG. 10. The frangible sealing of the side edges 80D of themain wrapper sheet 80 can be accomplished by any suitable sealingtechnique. By way of example only, the longitudinal side edges 80D maybe heat sealed, glued, or ultrasonically bonded as shown in FIG. 11. Theentire sanitary napkin 20 is thereby protected until the wrapper 78 isopened. Suitable methods for frangibly sealing the longitudinal sideedges are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,146 issued to Swanson.

The various embodiments of the wrapper 78 described herein can be madein any suitable manner. The first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and89 may be made of the same material as the main wrapper sheet or anyadhesive cover material known in the art. The first and second flapadhesive covers 87 and 89 can be joined to the main wrapper sheet 80 atany time during the manufacture of the individually packaged sanitarynapkin 20 of the present invention. Preferably, for ease of manufacture,first, the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 are joined toeach other. Then, the first second flap adhesive cover 87 will be joinedto the main wrapper sheet 80 after the sanitary napkin 20 is alreadyplaced on the main wrapper sheet 80. This will eliminate the need totemporarily remove the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89from the main wrapper sheet 80 to allow the sanitary napkin 20 to beplaced on the main wrapper sheet 80. The release paper or releasecoating 82 on the main wrapper sheet 80, the non-stick surfaces 87A and87B on the first and second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 arepreferably applied before the first and second flap adhesive covers 87and 89 are joined and the first flap adhesive cover 87 is joined to themain wrapper sheet 80.

More preferably, for ease of manufacture, the first flap adhesive cover87 and the second flap adhesive cover 89 may be placed onto the firstflaps 24 and the second flaps 25 respectively as shown in FIG. 12 beforethe first flap adhesive cover 87 and the second flap adhesive cover arejoined to each other. The non-stick surfaces 87A and 89A of the firstand second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 cover the first flap adhesives76 and the second flap adhesives 77 respectively. In addition, the firstand second flap adhesive covers 87 and 89 cover and protect majority ofthe body contacting surface 20A from contamination while manufacturingthe absorbent article. The opposing sides 87B which are not treatedreleasably may be provided with the adhesive layer 83 and 90 eitherbefore or after the first flap adhesive cover 87 is placed onto theflaps 24. Then the second region 41 is folded onto the first region 39about the fold axis F1. Thereby, the adhesive layer 90 applied to thefirst flap adhesive cover 87 is undetachably joined to the region 90A onthe opposite face 89B of the second flap adhesive cover 89 and theadhesive layer 83 is undetachably joined to the region 83A in the secondend portion 80B of the main wrapper sheet 80. After that, the thirdregion 43 is folded onto the second region 41 which is already foldedonto the first region 39. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 83 may beprovided the region 83A of the main wrapper sheet 80 and/or the adhesivelayer 90 may be provided the region 90A on the opposite face 89B of thesecond flap adhesive cover 89. When the individual packaged sanitarynapkin 20 is opened, the flap adhesive cover 81 is removed from thefirst flaps 24 and 25 but it stays with the second end portion 80B ofthe main wrapper sheet 80.

The consumer will ordinarily carry the individually packaged sanitarynapkin of the present invention in the form depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11.As shown in FIG. 13, the individually packaged sanitary napkin of thepresent invention may be opened by peeling the tape tab 86 from thewrapper 78 and breaking the frangible seals along the longitudinal sideedges 80D of the main wrapper sheet 80. This gives the consumer accessto the end edge 28 of the main body portion 22 of the third region 43.The consumer may then take hold of the end edge 28 of the main bodyportion 22 of the third region 43 and pull the tape tab 86 from thesanitary napkin 20 as shown in FIG. 13. As the sanitary napkin 20 isseparated from the wrapper 78, the central pad adhesive 74 is separatedfrom the main wrapper sheet 80 as shown in FIG. 14. At the same time,the first flap adhesives 76 are separated from the first flap adhesivecover 87. Because the first end portion 87C of the first flap adhesivecover 87 adjacent to the peeling starting side of the first flapadhesives 76 is joined to the second end portion 80B of the main wrappersheet 80, it is easy and smooth to separate the first flap adhesives 76from the first flap adhesive cover 87. When or after the main bodyportion 22 separates from the main wrapper sheet 80, the second flapadhesives 77 provided on the second flaps 25 begin to separate from thesecond flap adhesive cover 89 as shown in FIG. 15. Because the first endportion 89C adjacent to the peeling starting side of the second flapadhesives 77 is joined to the second end portion 87D of the first flapadhesive cover 87 (which is joined to the main wrapper sheet 80) and thefirst end portion 89C of the second flap adhesive cover 89 and thesecond end portion 87D are joined by the adhesive layer 90 at least apoint beyond the second adhesive layer 77 opposite the direction A ofpulling the sanitary napkin 20, it is easy and smooth to separate thesecond flap adhesives 77 from the second flap adhesive cover 89. Thesanitary napkin 20 is further pulled from the wrapper 78, the sanitarynapkin 20 and the wrapper 78 are separated from one another. Theseparation of the sanitary napkin 20 from the wrapper 78 is preferablyachieved in a single motion.

Once the sanitary napkin is removed from the wrapper 78 and installed inthe wearer's panties, the consumer may fold the wrapper 78, secure thewrapper 78 in its folded orientation by reattaching resealable tape tab86 to wrapper 78. The consumer may then store the folded wrapper 78 forrewrapping and disposing of the used sanitary napkin. The wearer neednot worry about collecting and disposing of loose flap adhesive releasestrips, that were previously required, since all release strips areattached to or integral with the wrapper 78. The present invention,therefore, provides the wearer with a clean sanitary napkin 20 which iseasily installed and without extra pieces of waste which must becollected.

The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any patentswhich issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreignpatent application), and publications mentioned throughout thisdescription are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expresslynot admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated byreference herein teach or disclose the present invention.

It is to be recognized that the foregoing detailed description of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is given merely by way ofillustration, and that numerous modifications and variations may becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope. of the presentinvention is to be determined by reference to the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An individually packaged absorbent articlecomprising: (a) an absorbent article extending in a longitudinaldirection and comprising a main body portion having a pair oflongitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and abody surface, wherein the garment surface of the main body portion maybe placed in a wearer's undergarment, and the absorbent articlecomprises a pair of first flaps joined to the main body portion andextending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of themain body portion and a pair of second flaps joined to the main bodyportion apart from the first flaps in the longitudinal direction andextending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of themain body portion, wherein the garment surface of each of the first andsecond flaps comprises a first flap fastener and a second flap fastenerrespectively, and the first and second flaps are folded over the bodysurface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners, (b) awrapper for the absorbent article, the wrapper comprising a main wrappersheet, a flap fastener cover and a second flap fastener cover, wherein(c) the main wrapper sheet comprises a pair of longitudinal sideportions, a pair of end portions, an inner surface facing the main bodyportion and an outer surface, the main wrapper sheet is positionedadjacent to the garment surface of the main body portion, the mainwrapper sheet and the main body portion of the absorbent articlecomprise two transverse axes and three regions divided by the two axes,wherein the three regions comprise a first region into which a majorityof the first flaps extends, a second region into which a majority of thesecond flaps extends and a third region, and the two transverse axescomprise the first axis extending laterally between the first region andthe second region and the second axis extending laterally between thefirst region and the third region, (d) the first flap fastener covercomprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions,a releasable surface facing the first flap fasteners, an opposingsurface, wherein a majority of the first flap fastener cover extends inthe first region at least when the absorbent article is folded at thefirst transverse axis, and the first flap fastener cover is releasablyaffixed to the first flap fasteners, (e) the second flap fastener covercomprises a pair of longitudinal side portions, a pair of end portions,a releasable surface facing the second flap fasteners, an opposingsurface, wherein a majority of the second flap fastener cover extends inthe second region at least when the absorbent article is folded at thesecond transverse axis, and the second flap fastener cover is releasablyaffixed to the second flap fasteners, (f) the second flap fastener coveris joined to the first flap fastener cover at least at a point in aregion between the second flap fasteners and the first transverse axis,and (g) the end portion of the first flap fastener cover is joined tothe end portion of the main wrapper sheet of the second region.
 2. Theabsorbent article of claim 1 wherein the first flap fastener cover andthe second flap fastener cover comprise separate elements.
 3. Theabsorbent article of claim 2 wherein the end portions of the second flapfastener comprise a first end portion adjacent to the first transverseaxis and a second end portion adjacent to the end edge of the absorbentarticle in the second region, wherein the second flap fastener cover isjoined to the first flap fastener cover at least at a point in a regionbetween the second flap fastener and the first transverse axis.
 4. Theabsorbent article of claim 3 wherein the end portions of the first flapfastener comprise a first end portion adjacent to the end edge of theabsorbent article in the second region and a second end portion adjacentto the first transverse axis in a configuration where the first flapfastener cover is joined to the main wrapper sheet, wherein the secondflap fastener cover is joined to the first flap fastener cover at leastat a point in a region between the second flap fastener and the secondend portion of the first lap fastener cover.
 5. The absorbent article ofclaim 4 wherein the second flap fastener cover is joined to the firstflap fastener cover at least at a point in a region between the secondflap fastener and the first end portion of the second flap fastenercover.
 6. The absorbent article of claim 5 wherein the opposite surfaceof the first flap fastener cover and the opposite surface of the secondflap fastener cover are joined by applying adhesive therebetween.
 7. Theabsorbent article of claim 6 wherein the first end portion of the firstflap fastener cover extends toward the end portion of the main wrappersheet in the second region beyond the second end portion of the secondflap fastener cover.
 8. The absorbent article of claim 7 wherein thefirst end portion of the first flap fastener cover extends beyond theend edge of the main body portion in the second region.
 9. The absorbentarticle of claim 8 wherein the end portion of the main wrapper sheet inthe second region extends beyond the end edge of the main body portion.10. The absorbent article of claim 9 wherein the main wrapper sheet andthe main body portion of the absorbent article are folded as a unitabout the first axis so that the second region superposes the firstregion, and the first flap fastener cover becomes face-to-face relationwith the second flap fastener cover.